Baijiu—pronounced bye-j’yo, meaning “white spirits” in Mandarin—is a category that encompasses all traditional Chinese grain spirits. Baijiu is most commonly distilled from sorghum, but is also often made from rice, wheat, corn and millet. Production techniques differ significantly by region and style, and different styles of baijiu can be as distinct as whiskey is to tequila.

The Luzhou Laojiao Distillery invented the “Sichuan baijiu” style. Started in 1573, and using techniques inspired by a local tradition that spans two thousand years, it is the oldest continually operating distillery in China.